Every year thousands of parents return to county campuses for evaluation of student progress, teacher curriculum and communication tools. Back-to-School Night offers an opportunity to walk in student shoes.

Classes will be compressed into 10-minute sessions on Aug. 28. To ensure parents arrival to correct classrooms, schedules will be given to students for guardians to follow.

Often nervousness builds for new teachers prior to Back-to-School Night, however Spanish teacher, Melody Downie, welcomes the tradition.

?I am not nervous because I like meeting new parents,? Downie said. ?I hope most of them come, it is a chance to get parents and teachers connected face-to-face.?

Despite previous acquaintance with staff, parents find updated information, new opportunities for campus involvement and establish relationships with other guardians. Parents also appreciate the opportunity to view campus environment.

?I always make an effort to go to Back-to-School Night, I don?t think I have ever missed one,? Bonnie Shattuck, senior parent, said. ?It is a good opportunity to get a feel for the teachers, to see what they are looking for, what the class will be about and to see the other parents.?

For either new or returning parents Jon Endicott, associate principal, will give an orientation for PowerSchool. PowerSchool allows grades and assignment to be accessible to parents; in addition it offers a form of communication with teachers.

?Parents are critical support for our students, they need to be informed to support,? Endicott said. ?They need to know who teachers are, meet new ones, and get an overview of what the classes will be like.?

Although some students worry this tradition, Back-to-School Night has proven beneficial for those parents who seek more information than their child conveys.

?I have mixed feelings about Back-to-School Night,? Stephanie Major, ?08, said. ?I never share a lot of information about my teachers or classes with my parents, so they go to find out for themselves. Unfortunately, when they come home, they know of questions to ask.?

Back-to-School Night will start at 7 P.M. For more information email Endicott at [email protected], or contact the high school office at 299-1695 ext. 125.